How soon until I can let my baby chicks outside

[Jesus loves me]

Hello! I have 6 brahma chicks, they will be 5 weeks this Wednesday. They are getting pretty big. It has been in the 60's to 70's and has been getting in the lower 40's to 50's at night. I have a coop for them to go in but was just wondering if it is still too cold for them to go outside? I still have them under the heat lamp. Just wanted to see what everyone thought! Thank you!

 

[Livia Ammon]

If they’re all feathered out and have shelter from wind and rain, you can let them outside

 

[Jesus loves me]

If they’re all feathered out and have shelter from wind and rain, you can let them outside

It is supposed get down to 38 degrees tonight. Would they need a heating plate in there with them? Or would they be okay huddling together? Thank-you!

 

[Livia Ammon]

It’s better safe than sorry, so if you’ve got a fairly large shelter, I’d give them the heating plate, but if it’s small they will heat it with their bodies and a heating plate could warm it too much or cause a risk of fire.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They don't need the heat at this point but if you haven't already started acclimating them to outside temps and it makes you feel safer to provide it, a plate won't do any harm either.